Council of State of the Canton of Fribourg


The Council of State of the Canton of Fribourg is the executive organ of the government of the Canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. Comprising seven members, it is responsible for implementing laws passed by the Grand Council of Fribourg, managing the cantonal administration, and representing the canton in inter-cantonal and federal affairs.
The Council meets at the Chancellerie d’Etat in Fribourg and operates as a collegial body, with decisions made collectively and a presidency that rotates annually among its members. Members are elected by popular vote every five years, concurrently with elections to the Grand Council.
WWW fr.ch/ce

Directorates

Each member of the government heads a directorate. Since 2002, the directorates have been named as follows:Directorate of Education and Cultural Affairs Directorate of Security, Justice, and Sport Directorate of Institutions, Agriculture, and Forestry Directorate of Economy, Employment, and Vocational Training Directorate of Health and Social Affairs Directorate of Finances
  • '''Directorate of Territorial Development, Infrastructure, Mobility, and Environment'''

Election

The members of the Council of State are elected every five years under a majority system with two rounds, with the first round held on the same day as the election of the Grand Council. From 1848 to 1921, the Council of State was elected by the Grand Council.
The president of the Council of State is elected by the Grand Council for a one-year term, non-renewable consecutively, based on the principle of seniority.

History

From 1848 to 1874, the Council of State was exclusively composed of members of the Free Democratic Party, then almost exclusively of members of the Conservative Party. They were elected by the Grand Council and were generally drawn from its ranks.
Starting in 1921, the government was elected by the people and always included a member from a second party, but it was not until 1946 that its composition became pluralistic, though the conservative majority still persisted.
From 1981 onward, the government's composition finally began to reflect the electoral weight of the parties and could be described as pluralistic, with the two historical parties each having to relinquish one seat. However, the majority remained with the bourgeois parties, and the PDC continued to be the dominant party.
Since the new cantonal constitution of 2004, members of the Council of State are limited to a maximum of three terms, and holding simultaneous office in the National Council or the Council of States is prohibited.

Members

2021–2026 Legislature

As of April 2025, the current members of the Council of State, elected for the 2021–2026 term, are:
  • Jean-Pierre Siggen
  • Olivier Curty
  • Jean-François Steiert – President for 2025
  • Didier Crottet
  • Sylvie Bonvin-Sansonnens
  • Patrice Jordan
  • Romain Collaud
This list is based on the official announcement following the 7 November 2021 election, with a second round on 28 November 2021.

2016–2021 Legislature

The previous legislature included:
  • Georges Godel
  • Maurice Ropraz
  • Jean-François Steiert
  • Olivier Curty
  • Anne-Claude Demierre
  • Didier Castella
  • Marie Garnier
Elections occurred on 6 November 2016, with a second round on 27 November 2016.